Tony Tea

6. Petracca 5. Oliver 4. Gawn 3. Viney 2. Salem 1. Fritsch

The usual big name Herald Sun footy journos, after years of barracking for Kelly in the Kelly vs Salem/Tyson/Hunt deal, slunk off back to their desks when the editor called on Marc McGowan talk up Melbourne's end of the trade. https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-2021-christian-salem-repays-demons-faith-after-draft-gamble/news-story/67410111c25ecb5f0be0068b7fbfaba0

Cam Luke, one of Hutchy's pets.

6. Gawn 5. Langdon 4. Lever 3. Viney 2. Petracca 1. Brayshaw

6. Oliver 5. Salem 4. Petracca 3. May 2. Langdon 1. Jordon

Cardwell had a massive advantage over Taylor. He could pretty much approach any player he liked and offer him a run at a successful club, and every second week on the MCG. And if I could bother doing the research, I'd probably - okay, possibly - discover that lots of Melbourne players retired with plenty of petrol in the tank when the Collingwoods and Carltons and Richmonds got plenty more footy out of their stars. Did we try hard enough to keep our stars? Barassi, anyone?

6 May 5 Oliver 4 Lever 3 Petracca 2 Langdon 1 Jordon

Choco seems to have comfortably slipped into the mentor role.

I wonder how much Clarko learned at Port under Choco. Or how much Choco learned from Clarko. Either way Clarko's tactics at Hawthorn seem an extension of Port's style circa 2004.

They have. And each time MFC personnel have been there and given talks.

Actually, that's a fair call. I just had a re-read.

The Demons season launch is not the same thing "2020 Coterie Season Launch Dinner." Yes, 2020. The 2021 brochure is not on the Demons website. Previous Demon season launches have been at Crown, so it would be difficult to fit a Crown crowd into an Australian Club room, even in these Covid-straightened times. The Australian Club has hosted several Demons functions that I am aware of (and, for the record, have been invited to), and it is totally within their rights to host Coterie events which invite Demon personnel to speak. But it is nigh-on impossible to believe the Demons would have their own season launch at a restricted club. Is it possible that Zalika Rizmal, the ABC reporter, has confused the Melbourne Football Club season launch with the 2020 Coterie season launch dinner? And as for "The event, promoted on the group's social media page, is being held on March 9, the day after International Women's Day" - that is just journalistic garnish.

Best first 100 games since Judd.

No. Not like Tom Lynch. He's a significantly better player.

Sorry, I forgot: [Joke] sauce [/joke].

I have it from a current AFL coach that recruiting Brown was a mistake, and that given current trends in tactic, we'd be better off without him. And, no, I'm not going to reveal the sauce. I've already rounded it down to 18 people out of 25 million.

Lou Richards used to be able to do a precise drop kick with right foot from outside his left leg.

Ohh, you mean the other game. We beat North by 70 and 52 in 1991. And yet it's North not far off a flag. Sigh.

That's makes his 11 goals even better.

Phoenix Spicer sounds like the name of a crop dusting plane.

I know nothing about him. Great pick, tho.

I actually think Salem is pretty good in the air. Not that he'll ever be classed for his marking, but he's deceptively clever man-on-man in the air.

Get your mitts off my Tweets, Kingy. The question is whether Salem is quick enough to get into position for the kick inside 50.

I usually stick my calendar over my desk at work, and just as usually forget to turn the month after about March.

Wasn't this topic already canvassed in the Rumours post apropos Hutchy?